Posts for August, 2024

Join the rangers for an afternoon stroll along the River Dee and around the grounds of Mar Lodge, and hear all about the history of this place, and the work we do. The tour gives you an opportunity to see inside the Lodge, Chapel and Stag Ballroom, which are not normally open to the public.

The tour finishes in the Dining Room, where you can enjoy Tea/Coffee and biscuits (included in the price) in this historic setting….and can ask us questions about Mar Lodge Estate that we haven’t already answered.

PLEASE NOTE that this is an extended tour, which includes an hour’s stroll outdoors. This gives us time to tell you a lot more about the estate: how it is managed, the wildlife we have, local history, extreme weather events etc. So if you are only interested in the history of the lodge itself, or are unable to manage a 1hr walk, our ‘ Mar Lodge – Guided tour ‘ events on Eventbrite might be more suitable.

Tour starts at 2pm from the Stables Building, and finishes at 4:30pm in the lodge.

Tickets are £12 per adult; children (under 16) are free; NTS members £9 per adult.

Booking is essential as places are limited. Call 01339 720164 for more information or simply book your place here on Eventbrite.

We will send you directions in your order confirmation.

Join Mànran and their support band on Monday 30th December for a pre New Years Eve celebration

Discover the stories of the hidden 18th Century seminary of Scalan and the lives of those who lived and worked there when it was farmed during the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Soak up the atmospheric character of the landscape. Wander around the seminary building which provides information on how the Catholic faith was kept alive in this small glen as well as peeling wallpaper fragments from when it later became a home for those working the site as a farm.

See inside the two mill buildings, including areas that are usually locked, and get a glimpse of what everyday life was like for those who lived and worked here during the 19th and 20th Centuries from their own hands. The wooden walls are daubed with handwritten, dated snippets of everyday life.

The left behind objects tell their own tale of those who lived and worked here. The restored waterwheel will also be turning bringing back the sounds of the past. Videos will be playing which provide information on the whole history of the site and the surrounding Braes of Glenlivet.

There will be volunteers onsite to answer questions and bring the history of the site alive with their own stories, memories and knowledge. Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 pm.

Parking is at the Carrachs Car Park with a 0.5mile (approx) walk along a farm track to the site. The short walk in takes in the stunning scenery of the Braes of Glenlivet. There is one parking space for restricted mobility only onsite, but please note this is accessed via a rough farm track and the site is not fully wheelchair accessible.

Donations to the Scalan Association on the day are most appreciated and help them to care for this special place.

Children are very welcome to attend.
Toilets are available on site. There is also a picnic area and benches.
For further information please contact scalanseminaryandmills@gmail.com and look out on Facebook.

The Big Bike Film Night is on a mission- bringing the best cycling short films from around the world together for you.

Showcasing 2.5 hours of moving bike films that has everything a cycle-centric audience could want – action, drama, humour, and plenty of inspiration; the evening is unashamedly and utterly, utterly, utterly designed and devised for the two-wheel devotee!

The 2024 treasure chest of films includes:
• a visually commanding film following one rider’s colourful adventure scouring the most beautiful spots from Guatemala to Peru via Bolivia bringing together a masterpiece of breathtaking images and memories
• a documentary about a community of cyclists from Alexandra, New Zealand who all share a similar love and passion for their place, people and sport
• discovering how a bicycle can be much more than a bicycle, bringing change to people’s lives
• a determined father and his daughter prepare for their greatest adventure together: an ambitious ride that will push them to physical and emotional limits on a gruelling bike ride around Central Otago’s Lake Dunstan Trail
• we meet a passionate and quirky Australian “bicycle whisperer”
• we join 10 young people as they learn to ride a long way… embarking on a 900km bikepacking trip from Wellington to Wānaka in New Zealand
• a fast-paced, fun, and feminist bike race film set in Toronto, Canada that finally gives a groundbreaking, nearly forgotten athletic hero her rightful place in history
• a moving movie set in Scotland, showcasing how the simple joy of riding bikes can make a big impact
• and rounding out the night, “Everesting” is a feather few cyclists have in their caps, but what happens if your cap is full? So full in fact, you think “lets go big, why not do two?”
ALL in the mix!

These short films are a great reminder of why we love to ride our bike; with stories that captivate us, stories that make us think, and most importantly of all – inspiring us to get out and ride. All celebrate the fun, adventure, and joy that cycling enables.

Win a complete outfit built for the bike life!
Purchase a ticket to a Scottish screening and, thanks to our Supporter Nzo, you could win a Prize Package valued at over £360. T’s and C’s apply.

So…listen to the voice inside you; it’s telling you to go. Grab your mates, grab your tickets, GO ON… grab your bike and come along for the ride!!

ATTENDEE’S COMMENTS:
“If you only have one night a year out make it this!!”
“Wow! If it comes to your town do NOT miss it. Something for everyone.”
“The Big Bike Film Night is always a wonderful, eclectic, wacky mix of films and I love it!”
“This was my first Big Bike Film Night, I’m hooked!”

Book your tickets now

We have a stellar line up for 2024 featuring sessions from renowned novelists, historians, artists, food writers and actors.

Discover more about each event via the links below and book your ticket. Please note tickets are nonrefundable.

Saturday, 21st September
10:00 Tom Parker Bowles in conversation with Matthew Fort

11:30 Kate Mosse on 30 Years of the Women’s Prize for Fiction

12:45 Jessie Burton in conversation with Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room

14:00 Frances Morris and Fiona Bradley: The Life and Work of Artist Phyllida Barlow

15:30 In conversation with Jon Sopel – Renowned British Journalist – SOLD OUT

17:00 Ken Follett in conversation with Vicki Perrin, CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room

18:30 LYR

Sunday, 22nd September
10:00 Alan Cumming in conversation with Fiona Kennedy – SOLD OUT

11:30 Simon Armitage in conversation with Nick Barley

13:15 Jinny Blom

14:30 Discover Award-Winning Jinny Blom’s Garden at the Fife Arms – SOLD OUT

Food & Drink

Refresh between talks, with some tasty food in the village. If you’re in the mood for tea and scones or sandwiches, Gordon’s Tearoom, The Bothy or Hazelnut Patisserie are the perfect venues. For a heartier meal, book a table at The Flying Stag, and indulge in pub classics like fish and chips whilst enjoying live music and poetry in the evening, or visit Farquharson’s Bar and Kitchen located in the village. And when the day is done, head over to the Invercauld Mews Pub to enjoy a drink and chat about the days highlights with fellow bibliophiles.

Join us for a closing reception to celebrate the Commonplace Book project with Cairngorms Connect Venison canapes and drinks.

cairngormsconnect.org.uk/commonplace-book

Extend your enjoyment of Grantown Show day with a Family Ceilidh in the Ben Mhor Hotel function room. Reel Scotch are there to entertain you and to explain (or remind you of!) the steps of traditional Scottish reels and dances. Prize raffle. Hosted by The Grantown Society – all welcome.
Pre-ceilidh meals available, refreshments from the bar.

Come along and enjoy a fun 45minute class where kids will use existing pre cut stencils or cut their own (with help of accompanying adult) and screen print either a wooden wall tile or tote bag.

This is a fun way for kids to try screen printing and take home a ‘me made’ product.

Suitable for children age 5 – 18
Class run by Timber and Stitch Studio

Hailed by critics and fans alike as a one of the finest songwriters of his generation, Dean Friedman has achieved legendary, pop-icon status for chart-topping hits, Ariel, Lucky Stars, Lydia, McDonald’s Girl and more.

Friedman returns to the stage armed with a stunning collection of his insightful and compelling, true-to-life ‘story songs’ – songs of pathos and humour that deal with family, friends, neighbours, work and the seemingly trivial, yet ultimately essential stuff of everyday life.

“Soundtrack of our lives!” – NYTimes; “Songsmith extraordinaire!” – MusicWeek

“Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant” – ThreeWeeks

“Stunning Musicianship!” – Hot Press

“One of the true greats of American music!” – Liverpool Sound and Vision

A consummate entertainer, Friedman will be performing solo, on guitar and keyboard, featuring songs from throughout his four-decade career, including familiar, radio hits and fan favourites, drawn from his eight studio albums. Invite family and friends and join Friedman for an evening of powerful, poignant and hilarious songs about the ordinary and extraordinary lives we share.

It’s going to be a very fun night, we urge you to get your tickets before they sell out!

From Hunter Gatherer to Early Christian

This summer we are delving deep into the past and exploring the world of ancient peoples. With evidence of the very first people to encounter our landscape as the ice age came to an end, we will chart time with fantastic local finds. We are borrowing archaeology from the National Museum of Scotland, Inverness Museum, The Highland Folk Museum and others all of which have been found along our stretch of the Spey.

​We are also really pleased to have an amazing replica of the beautiful Monymusk Reliquary to display, taking our story up to Pictish times and the beginning of Christianity.

We have a raft of brilliant replica objects to uncover and will be exploring our ancient landscape with a series of walks or drives to see the many remnants of structures that have been left behind. Symbol stones, burial cairns, hill forts and early church sites are all waiting to be discovered.

Go to our website for open times and other special events over the summer.